NRL Power Rankings - Round 24

[TITAN PETE]

GREG PRICHARD
AUGUST 25, 2010

Twelve teams remain in the hunt for a finals berth, and the rankings reflect the rapid shifting of the sands. Which team is the most likely to bolt from the pack to threaten the frontrunners. Give your predictions.

1. GOLD COAST
Position last ranking: Last week: 2
Five wins in a row, which equals the best winning streak of any team this season, but they can't afford a letdown because they have to keep winning to secure a valuable top-two spot for the finals.
2. ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA
Position last ranking: Last week: 1
However you want to describe the Dragons, chokers is not the word. They are headed for the minor premiership and rested a couple of players against a Raiders team that had to win to keep their finals hopes alive.
3. WESTS TIGERS
Position last ranking: Last week: 4
Should have just about had their game against the Eels wrapped up by halftime, but for a couple of bombed tries. They were getting the staggers towards the end, but it was a pretty impressive performance all up.
4. CANBERRA RAIDERS
Position last ranking: Last week: 8
The league's current excitement machine, with six wins from their last seven games to put themselves in a position from which they can control their own destiny. Two wins from the last two rounds and they make the finals.
5. MELBOURNE
Position last ranking: Last week: 5
Sure, it's going to affect the quality of the finals series to not have them there, but we've had plenty of time to get used to the fact and having cheated the salary cap to the extent they did they don't deserve to be there anyway.
6. NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Position last ranking: Last week: 3
Can clinch a finals berth by beating the Broncos at home this weekend. And, in the battle within the battle, they are still a chance to make the top four if they win each of their last two games and other results help them.
7. MANLY
Position last ranking: Last week: 11
Showed plenty of character to edge out the Warriors in the desperate final stages. Been a bit up and down recently, but when they've been at their best they've looked good enough to be a genuine threat in the finals.
8. SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Position last ranking: Last week: 6
Not quite looking like feather dusters after three straight losses, but certainly lacking the calm direction they need on the field. They've been competitive in those defeats, but are all over the shop at the moment.
9. NEWCASTLE
Position last ranking: Last week: 12
Desperately need the celebrated magic of old boys' day to kick in for them again in their last home game of the season against the Dragons. The presence of the former players has automatically lifted the team in the past.
10. PENRITH
Position last ranking: Last week: 13
That was much more like it from the Panthers, running riot to lead 40-0 at halftime against the Rabbitohs before cruising to a 54-18 win. If they can build on that over the last two rounds they will enter the finals in a great mood.
11. PARRAMATTA
Position last ranking: Last week: 10
Didn't get into gear until well into the second half against the Tigers. Why? If you can answer that, tell them. Need a miracle to make the finals from here, but why should God help them after the way they've played this season?
12. BRONCOS
Position last ranking: Last week: 7
How good is Darren Lockyer looking at the moment - and he's not even playing! The Broncos have sunk like a stone in two games without their injured captain, and now they have to go to Auckland to play the Warriors without him.
13. SOUTH SYDNEY
Position last ranking: Last week: 9
Their first half against the Panthers was a disgrace. Russell Crowe was looking on from just behind the fence, and he would have been forgiven had he begun yelling "cut". Injuries are one thing - lack of commitment is another.
14. CANTERBURY
Position last ranking: Last week: 15
Squeezed a narrow win out on the road against the Cowboys, which is nothing to write home about. Must try to get to the end of the season without any further damage and then put it all behind them, like it was just a bad dream.
15. CRONULLA
Position last ranking: Last week: 14
Once again, the struggling Sharks failed to back one win up with another. Admittedly, they were playing the Storm on the road, but their form suggests it would have happened no matter who they were playing and no matter where.
16. NORTH QUEENSLAND
Position last ranking: Last week: 16
Exciting times at the Cowboys - not. If the rampaging Raiders are on their game in Canberra on Saturday night then what sort of hiding might the Cowboys - minus superstar Johnathan Thurston - be in for down there?

[Ryan]

Foxsports Power Rankings Rnd 24
http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/powerrankings

1. Dragons - Maintain their top position despite their loss. The Dragons were literally run over by the Raiders, who registered a round-high 1630 metres gained, compared to the Dragons' round low of 993. This pressure led to an increase in tackles missed (30) and linebreaks conceded (6).

2. Titans - Continue to prove the doubters wrong after their polished win over Sydney Roosters. The Scott Prince kicking game is proving vital for the Titans. Not only did he set up their first try with a kick, but his 340 metres gained with the boot dwarfed Todd Carney's 136 metres.

3. Tigers - Sealed their place in the top eight with an impressive performance. Although the Tigers conceded an alarming 43 missed tackles, they only allowed Parramatta 24 tackles in their own twenty metre zone - reflecting their territorial domination.

4. Panthers - Rediscovered their mojo in attack against South Sydney. Penrith made 10 line breaks, well up on their season average of 4.3. It seems they are beginning to find a way to the line without the boot of Luke Walsh.

5. Warriors - Lacked penetration against Manly as their up-and-down season continued. Defence was the main issue for the Warriors, as they missed 50 tackles, while only breaking 29 themselves.

6. Roosters - Showed patches of brilliance against Gold Coast but were made to pay for their mistakes. Over the last three weeks, the Roosters have made more errors than any team in the NRL (45). It is now a case of sharpen up or ship out.

7. Raiders - Continued their late-season surge with a come-from-behind victory against St George Illawarra. The Raiders' final-style intensity saw them lead the round in tackles missed (20) and metres conceded (993). Have got the form over the other finals contenders.

8. Sea Eagles - On the back of a favourable 10-5 penalty count were able to grind their way over the top of the Warriors. Are struggling to find their best with a mounting injury toll but time is running out to show their true colours.

9. Storm - Are playing with the amount of intensity one would expect for a team with nothing to play for. The talent of their big four was enough to see them past the Sharks, but their test will come away from home.

10. Broncos - Their thrashing at the hands of Newcastle Knights has put the Broncos in danger of missing the finals for the first time since 1991. Brisbane's halves didn't conjure a single line break or try assist, illustrating the importance of the absent Darren Lockyer.

11. Eels - Their match against the Tigers perfectly summed up the Eels season - too little, too late. The Eels continue to lead the way in offloads (16.9 per game) but can't seem to convert second phase play into competition points.

12. Knights - Over the last eight weeks of the competition, the Knights are ranked second in attack, with an average of 25.6 points per game. Although finals football is highly unlikely, this is a team on the rise.

13. Rabbitohs - South Sydney's defence has been their Achilles heel this season and this became all-to clear against the Panthers. A round-high 52 missed tackles led to their nine tries to three thrashing that has all but ruled them out of finals contention.

14. Bulldogs - Managed to sneak past the Cowboys to earn a small rise in the rankings. For a team once rated as a Premiership contender and with a talent in their roster, they will surely be rated as the under-achievers of 2010.

15. Sharks - Their return to the winners circle was only temporary. Attack was the main issue, with a paltry two linebreaks illustrating their lack of penetration. Their season average of 2.5 tries per game is ranked lowest in the NRL.

16. Cowboys - Found a way to lose like they have done for most of the year. Have conceded 27.3 points a game in season 2010 and until they are able find a way to plug the gaps and build pressure they will remain at this end of the ladder.

[Ryan]

How the **** they justify keeping the Dragons in #1 is beyond me......

[titansrawesome]

i prefer it when we are doubted and given no respect, we'll just keep giving our opponents no respect on the scoreboard

[DIEHARD]

Love how we are going for 6 in a row! We can really make a statement in the
coming weeks.